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| women's cotton twill chinos; trying to find work slacks like Docker's | |
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| Topic Started: Jun 27 2009, 06:31:18 PM (1,013 Views) | |
| TP** | Sep 2 2010, 10:42:41 AM Post #21 |
Yacker
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Thanks folks, I really did not expect a post about finding women's cotton slacks to get much attention. But, I guess the topic presents a number of underlying common issues. With regard to the scarcity of the item, I think import restrictions are a factor (and I will share my thoughts about this elsewhere). Another factor might be that Australians tend to line dry their clothes. My cotton pants always need to be ironed now that I don't have access to a dryer. Perhaps many males here are OK with a few wrinkles in their work clothes, or perhaps many do not do their own ironing. If so, that might explain why you can get the men's cotton slacks, but not the women's. Also, I do think that there might be more of a tendency for women in this inland regional Aus area to dress in a more distinctly "feminine" style as compared to my previous US settings. (I'm routinely gagged by perfume.) From my experiences, there seems to be less of a taboo against professional women showing cleavage, wearing tight tops, and the like. This just wasn't done in my previous settings in the U.S. Come to think of it, on TV, I routinely see professional women such as journalists and politicians wearing light-weight, frilly, revealing clothing instead of business suits. This might be an indication of a number of cultural factors. Perhaps it says something about gender roles. Perhaps it is an indication of a blurring of lines between the presentation of the professional self and the personal self. I know that I am expected to be much, much more chummy with my clients than would have ever been considered appropriate professional practice in my previous urban US settings. I don't know if it is a urban/rural or US/Aus thing; probably both. |
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| mtnrun | Sep 2 2010, 12:06:44 PM Post #22 |
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Anklebiter
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I work in a very casual office environment and had a hard time finding the same type of clothing, but recently had good luck with the Esprit brand. You can find them in David Jones, Myer as well as having their own stores in most major shopping malls. I happen to be Petite (aka short) and rarely able to buy things off the rack, but found that Esprit has both regular and short length pants. Good luck and if all else fails, internet shopping is the way to go  |
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| beckagator | Sep 14 2010, 03:11:26 PM Post #23 |
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True Blue Mate
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I was just looking for a Long sleeved T-Shirt for A's halloween costume when I found that Old Navy now has international shipping options to Australia, in case anyone needed an oldnavy/gap/banana republic fix. |
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| jenbrooklyn8 | Sep 14 2010, 08:06:27 PM Post #24 |
True Blue Mate
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Gkay - Sorry to be the Johnny Come Lately to this discussion but wanted to let you know that I went to the new Gap store in Melbourne, (at Chadstone) this weekend and bought myself a new pair of chinos for the spring summer - more contemporary fit, but what I know and love. They will be opening a store in Sydney soon. Trenery, a new offshoot of Country Road, also has some items that are more classic in feel. (One of the YDU members has a direct link to that store but I'll let him plug his wife's work on his own.............:) A trip to a more urban shopping center in the near future may help you put together a wardrobe you are comfortable with. In my experience, being in a rural area, or even a more regional area in Australia means that your choice is limited compared to the major cities. Aussies have a very different idea of women's career wear than in the states - not bad, just different. I used to design for a US retailer that specialized in classic clothes for women who are on the other side of 29. When I explain to women here what I used to do they get a kind of longing look and ask me if I could please start something like that here. No chance of that, but it's just shown me that there is a major void in the market. Luckily, you can order online and have it shipped. It could be worse - it could be 1965 and no internet shopping! Imagine how life would have been then. You do get used to things and you will probably always miss some things but it's all part of being an expat down under......... I'm hoping for an H&M to appear one day but I won't hold my breath.............. |
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| TP** | Sep 16 2010, 12:14:30 PM Post #25 |
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Yacker
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[/quote jenbrooklyn8]- "Aussies have a very different idea of women's career wear than in the states - not bad, just different. I used to design for a US retailer that specialized in classic clothes for women who are on the other side of 29. When I explain to women here what I used to do they get a kind of longing look and ask me if I could please start something like that here. No chance of that, but it's just shown me that there is a major void in the market. **************** Thanks, though, I think that my wardrobe crisis has been solved. I've picked up some tops in the men's dept (mostly for casual wear, but a few polos for work) and bought slacks ((Lee - for $30 a pair - beat that in Aus) when I went back home for Independence Day. - My husband and I have pretty much decided to do most of our shopping for books, clothing, accessories, - basically anything that can fit in a suit case or be posted and does not plug into the wall, in the U.S. or online at US outlets. Even if we can find what we want here, we get sick at the idea of paying the inflated prices. - I'm wondering why more durable, classically styled business caual clothing is not available here if women want it. Why is there such a different idea of women's career wear if so many Aus women are not happy with the prevailing style? - Was it hard for you to move someplace where your career specialty essentially does not exist? The same thing happened with me. I was a school-based speech pathologist and there are practically nil special ed services in the public schools in NSW. Certainly no allied health like Speech and OT. Edited by TP**, Sep 16 2010, 12:18:38 PM.
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| jenbrooklyn8 | Sep 16 2010, 08:55:40 PM Post #26 |
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True Blue Mate
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I can see the frustration people have when I read YDU regarding their job experience and training and how it doesn't necessarily apply down here. I had a similar experience, it took me a long time to find design work and it was out of my area of expertise because basically what I did doesn't exist here as a separate market. I have dropped out of it for a bit to be a stay at home mom and now children's activities coordinator. I think I may have some more schooling in my future before I return to the full time work world. My time in Australia has certainly been a process of reinvention for me. In answer to your question, I think that there are a lot of pre existing ideas about clothes in the industry itself that will take a while to change. It could be that there is a belief that women here are much less conservative than in the states and that "classic" is dated and off trend. Have you noticed that even the home magazines have everyone decorating to a fashion trend rather than decorating to live in for the next 10 years? There is huge gray area in the clothing offerings between the younger, (under 35) market and the older, (in this case, the shops that seem to cater for the over 50's - elastic waists, wash and wear poly print blouses, etc). The customer stuck in the middle is forced to lean younger because, lets face it, who wants to dress like their mom? Costco in Melbourne sells some basic cotton shirts and polo styles in case you ever make it down here, or to the one in that will open one day in Sydney. You shouldn't have to shop in the men's department to find what you need!! There is a school here in Yarraville that focuses on the Special Ed kids, but it is the only one I've seen in my 3 years living in Melbourne.... I wonder if anyone has seen one in NSW? I envy your trip back to the states. I am on my last tube of Crest and my mom can only send one box a month, (and I'm trying to get my books sent over bit by bit - no room for toothpaste and lollies :(...) |
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